Adjustable gun case bracket

ABSTRACT

An adjustable bracket for carrying a gun case on a vehicle consists of a plate to be attached to the vehicle, a gun case carrier, and an adjustable linkage connecting the plate to the gun case carrier. The adjustable linkage allows the gun case carrier to be rotated to a variety of angles relative to the plate. A lock holds the gun case carrier at the desired angle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a bracket for transporting a firearmcase on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and more particularly to a bracketthat is adjustable relative to the ATV.

[0002] Long guns, which include rifles and shotguns have been carried inscabbards on ATVs. However, none of the prior long gun holding apparatahave included an adjustment mechanism to allow the holding apparatus tobe adjusted relative to the ATV.

[0003] It is desirable to allow the gun carrier to be adjustable sothat, for example, it can be in a horizontal position or in anon-horizontal position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An adjustable bracket for carrying a gun case on a vehicle, theadjustable bracket comprising

[0005] a) a plate adapted to be attached to the vehicle;

[0006] b) a gun case carrier; and

[0007] c) an adjustable linkage connecting the plate to the gun casecarrier.

[0008] A principal object and advantage of the present invention is thatthe gun case carrier is adjustable relative to the vehicle.

[0009] Another principal object and advantage of the present inventionis that the gun case carrier is lockable at various positions relativeto the vehicle.

[0010] Another principal object and advantage of the present inventionis the gun case carrier can be adjusted and locked relative to thevehicle by hand and without the use of any tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows the adjustable gun case bracket of the presentinvention mounted on an all-terrrain vehicle.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the adjustable gun casebracket of the present invention from one side.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the adjustable gun casebracket of the present invention from the opposite side.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable gun case bracket ofthe present invention with some parts removed to show the internalspline bushing.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotating spline bushing thatmates with the spline bushing of FIG. 3.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the adjustable gun casebracket of the present invention with structure cut away to show theinternal detail of the locking mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] The adjustable gun case bracket of the present invention isgenerally shown in the Figures as reference numeral 10.

[0018] In one aspect, the adjustable gun case bracket 10 comprises ameans 12 for attaching the bracket 10 to a vehicle V. The means forattaching 12 can be any suitable attachment mechanism, such as a plate,angle bracket, brace, rod, clamp, etc.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment, the means for attaching 12 comprisesa plate 14 adapted to be attached to the vehicle V, as by screws orbolts (not shown) passing through holes 16. Most preferably, the plate14 further comprises a first portion 14A adapted to be attached to thevehicle V and a second portion 14B substantially perpendicular to thefirst portion 14A.

[0020] The adjustable gun case bracket 10 further comprises a means 18for holding a gun case C. The means for holding can be any suitablemechanism for releasably holding the gun case C, such as a scabbard,tube, clamp, etc.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the means for holding 18 comprises agun case carrier 20, which further comprises an elongate member 22having a hollow interior 24. The elongate member 22 has an open top 26and an open bottom 28. Preferably, the top 26 is wider than the bottom28, so that as the gun case C is inserted into the member 22 the bottomcomes to grip the gun case C, the gun case C being narrower at on endthan at the other. The elongate member 22 also preferably has a cut-out30 that allows the case C to be easily grasped for removal from the guncase carrier 20.

[0022] The adjustable gun case bracket 10 further comprises a means 40for rotating the means for holding 18 relative to the means forattaching 12, as to allow the gun case to lie at a variety of anglesrelative to the vehicle V, e.g., horizontal or not. The means forrotating 40 can be any mechanism that permits rotation of the means forholding 18 relative to the means for attaching 12, such as a pivot,swivel, etc.

[0023] The adjustable gun case bracket 10 further comprises a means 50for locking the means for holding 18 at an angle relative to the meansfor attaching 12. Any number of angles may be allowed, or the number ofangles may be finite. It is highly desirable that the locking means 50is operable by hand without the use of any tools. The locking means 50can be any mechanism that can be releasably set to hold the means forholding at an angle relative to the means for attaching 12, such as ascrew, nut, clamp, cam, spring, strap, etc.

[0024] The means for rotating 40 preferably comprises an adjustablelinkage 42 connecting the plate 14 to the gun case carrier 20. Theadjustable linkage is connected to the second portion 14B of the plate14. As can be seen from the drawings, the adjustable linkage 42 permitsrotation of the gun case carrier 20 in a plane P parallel to the secondportion 14B.

[0025] A locking member 52 holds the gun case carrier 20 at an anglerelative to the first portion 14A of the plate 14. Preferably, thelocking member 52 further comprises a first spline bushing 54 fixedrelative to the gun case carrier 20, a second spline bushing 56rotatably engaging the first spline bushing 54, and a knob 58 causingthe second spline bushing 56 to clamp to the first spline bushing 54.

[0026] The first and second spline bushings 54, 56 have mating slots 60and projections 62 that can be used to stop further rotation of thebushings relative to one another.

[0027] The locking member 52 may preferably further comprise a cap 64opposite the knob 58, a shaft 66 engaging the knob 58 and cap 64, and aspring 68 biasing the knob 58 away from the cap 64.

[0028] To change the angle of the gun case carrier 20 relative to theplate 14, the user turns the knob 58. As the knob 58 is turned, thespring 68 expands the cap 64 away from the knob 58, which in turnrelieves cramping pressure of the the second spline bushing 56 againstthe first spline bushing 54. The second spline bushing 56 may then bemoved slightly away from the first spline bushing 54, allowing the guncase carrier 20 to be rotated. Rotation may be stopped at any point atwhich one of the projections 62 mates with one of the slots 60.

[0029] The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, andit is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. An adjustable bracket for carrying a gun case on avehicle, the adjustable bracket comprising a) a plate adapted to beattached to the vehicle; b) a gun case carrier; and c) an adjustablelinkage connecting the plate to the gun case carrier.
 2. The adjustablebracket of claim 1, wherein the adjustable linkage permits rotation ofthe gun case carrier relative to the plate.
 3. The adjustable bracket ofclaim 2, the adjustable linkage further comprising a locking memberholding the gun case carrier at an angle relative to the plate.
 4. Theadjustable bracket of claim 1, wherein the plate further comprises afirst portion adapted to be attached to the vehicle and a second portionsubstantially perpendicular to the first portion, the adjustable linkagebeing connected to the second portion.
 5. The adjustable bracket ofclaim 3, wherein the adjustable linkage permits rotation of the gun casecarrier in a plane parallel to the second portion.
 6. The adjustablebracket of claim 5, the adjustable linkage further comprising a lockingmember holding the gun case carrier at an angle relative to the firstportion.
 7. The adjustable bracket of claim 6, wherein the lockingmember further comprises a first spline bushing fixed relative to thegun case carrier, a second spline bushing rotatably engaging the firstspline bushing, and a knob causing the second spline bushing to clamp tothe first spline bushing.
 8. The adjustable bracket of claim 7, whereinthe locking member further comprises a cap opposite the knob, a shaftengaging the knob and the cap, and a spring biasing the knob away fromthe cap.
 9. An adjustable bracket for carrying a gun case on a vehicle,the adjustable bracket comprising a) a plate adapted to be attached tothe vehicle; b) a gun case carrier; and c) an adjustable linkageconnecting the plate to the gun case carrier, d) wherein the adjustablelinkage permits rotation of the gun case carrier relative to the plate,p1 e) the adjustable linkage further comprising a locking member holdingthe gun case carrier at an angle relative to the plate.
 10. Theadjustable bracket of claim 9, wherein the plate further comprises afirst portion adapted to be attached to the vehicle and a second portionsubstantially perpendicular to the first portion, the adjustable linkagebeing connected to the second portion.
 11. The adjustable bracket ofclaim 10, wherein the adjustable linkage permits rotation of the guncase carrier in a plane parallel to the second portion.
 12. Theadjustable bracket of claim 11, the adjustable linkage furthercomprising a locking member holding the gun case carrier at an anglerelative to the first portion.
 13. The adjustable bracket of claim 12,wherein the locking member further comprises a first spline bushingfixed relative to the gun case carrier, a second spline bushingrotatably engaging the first spline bushing, and a knob causing thesecond spline bushing to clamp to the first spline bushing.
 14. Theadjustable bracket of claim 13, wherein the locking member furthercomprises a cap opposite the knob, a shaft engaging the knob and thecap, and a spring biasing the knob away from the cap.
 15. An adjustablebracket for carrying a gun case on a vehicle, the adjustable bracketcomprising: a) means for attaching the adjustable bracket to thevehicle; b) means for holding a gun case; and c) means for rotating themeans for holding relative to the means for attaching.
 16. Theadjustable bracket of claim 15, further comprising means for locking themeans for holding at an angle relative to the means for attaching.